tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17426446.post114075304900177344..comments2019-05-08T22:48:36.336-04:00Comments on tranquility du jour: right hand ring blingkimberly wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01133076842269717396noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17426446.post-1141158891355451112006-02-28T15:34:00.000-05:002006-02-28T15:34:00.000-05:00It's interesting to see the thoughts flying around...It's interesting to see the thoughts flying around about the diamond industry et al... so if we stop wearing diamonds and stop drinking tea or coffee, or eating bananas (an industry that's been as riddled with violence as diamond industry) and chocolate (notorious industry for violating child labor laws) or for that matter wearing textiles woven in sweatshops? what would we do?... as socially responsible consumers, we all should consider purchases, absolutely! but not respond negatively to any purchase by another... i say we focus on positive changes in 'supply chain' and not blaming consumers for buying what's available in the market... <BR/><BR/>I've dedicated most of my life to socially responsible business, purchasing, and fair trade.. and think that nothing is as clear cut as divorcing one product from our spectrum of purchases... i, for one, wear lovely lucite jewelry because i don't choose diamonds, and i drink fair trade coffee, and try to be a good environmentalist, etc but that does not make a clean slate! we all need to be active consumers that affect companies actions!!!! diamonds will ALWAYS be in demand.. what we can do is make sure, as shareholders, companies mine them responsibly!!!! (as an aside, debeers is one of the more active companies in south africa in improving working conditions, providing health care to predominantly HIV+ workforce, etc...)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17426446.post-1140996286239726102006-02-26T18:24:00.000-05:002006-02-26T18:24:00.000-05:00Can I suggest that you address the issue of being ...Can I suggest that you address the issue of being a conscious consumer in a future podcast? I know that for me it can be a struggle to balance making choices that are socially and environmentally responsible and finding things that are fun and hip and more or less affordable. It seems hard to find a middle ground between feeling guilty about purchases and just giving up on trying to make responsible purchases.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17426446.post-1140989529263198072006-02-26T16:32:00.000-05:002006-02-26T16:32:00.000-05:00You can buy a more "conscious" piece of jewelry at...You can buy a more "conscious" piece of jewelry at greekarat.com, if I'm not mistaken. Look for fair trade gems and ditch the DeBeers if you're a fan of the shiny stuff...Heather Larsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09431929782796775714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17426446.post-1140809383651534312006-02-24T14:29:00.000-05:002006-02-24T14:29:00.000-05:00While I think playing around with glamour is fun a...While I think playing around with glamour is fun and fine, too, others might want to consider the the bigger picture- that being good to yourself has anything to do with a purchase like a ring. The whole idea of something like a ring worn on the "wrong" hand being a symbol of independence is problematic. It's taking advantage of something women probably want (a ring), but might not have, but the real message of independence, a truly empowering one, would be one that says you are 1) okay without that ring and 2) would stress financial independence and losing a reliability on material objects as part of creating our identity. A better symbol of commitment to oneself, and easily affordable, might just be maxing out your 401K instead of buying a ring or a pair of shoes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17426446.post-1140803060846105692006-02-24T12:44:00.000-05:002006-02-24T12:44:00.000-05:00i agree w/ the posters...but have to admit i only ...i agree w/ the posters...but have to admit i only recently became aware of the exploitative practices of the diamond industry myself. obviously, it's not going to get huge play here because the industry is symbolic and integral to many rituals. that said -- i think the message in the blog shouldn't be ignored, we can treat ourselves, what a powerful statement to bling yourself, it doesn't have to be a diamond...it can be anything. being kind to yourself is so important, and a necessary step in being kind to others.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17426446.post-1140798100012464422006-02-24T11:21:00.000-05:002006-02-24T11:21:00.000-05:00I was going to post something similar to what the ...I was going to post something similar to what the above poster said. Sadly, the beauty of diamonds comes at an amazing human price. I too love diamonds, but avoid them because of this issue. I'm trying to do more research into more cruelty-free bling however and if I find any, I'll be sure to share.Caroleehttp://www.modernbombshell.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17426446.post-1140797276981952762006-02-24T11:07:00.000-05:002006-02-24T11:07:00.000-05:00I am usually a huge fan of your blog and the tranq...I am usually a huge fan of your blog and the tranquiliT line because you have always seemed to be very conscientious and principled and you make a point of your garments being "sweatshop free". So, when I read your latest post, I felt compelled to speak up. Your "gift to yourself" is much worse than you simply being "a follower of a marketing scheme for women" (which you totally were, by the way, whether you ever saw the ad or not-- where do you think the "Modern Girl's Guide" got the idea? who do you think sponsored the segment?). More importantly, buying diamonds, even as an act of "self-care" is in complete contrast to the principle of Ahimsa. The diamond industry is an enormously violent and exploitive industry, and the diamond cartel De Beers is one of the absolute worst culprits of greed and cruelty. Please inform yourself and reconsider your support of this terrible industry. Diamonds are not glamorous, to wear one is to ignore the suffering of countless others for an "indulgence".<BR/><BR/>http://www.fguide.org/Bulletin/conflictdiamonds.htmAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com